I love these three songs, and want to share them with you. They are songs that do not shame the sufferer, but rightly point us to Christ. Whether you are in a difficult spot or not, these songs contain beautiful, biblical truth, but I have found them particularly meaningful in times of discouragement:
My friend Michael Bleecker, worship leader at the Village Church, shares a great song: "Come To Me"
"Who You Are" by JJ Heller
And- Oh I love this song:
"Perfect Wisdom of Our God" by Keith & Kristyn Getty
Showing posts with label Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Show all posts
Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs: Praise To the Lord, the Almighty
I love this song. I love the truth of the lyrics, and the way it points to God's character over and over. These things have been absolutely true in my life.
I am particularly fond of verse 2, because it's so true-- the adventures He has in store for us are better than the ones we can "dream" up. God reigns over all things, and His plans for us (even when difficult) are ultimately for His glory & our good! Hope you're having a great weekend.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
The King of creation
O my soul, praise Him
For He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near
Praise Him in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord
Who o'er all things so wonderfully reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings,
Yea, so gladly sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e'er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord
Who doth prosper they work and defend thee.
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with His love He befriend thee!
Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him.
All that hath life and breath
Come now with praises before Him!
Let the 'amen' sound from His people again.
Gladly for aye we adore Him.
I am particularly fond of verse 2, because it's so true-- the adventures He has in store for us are better than the ones we can "dream" up. God reigns over all things, and His plans for us (even when difficult) are ultimately for His glory & our good! Hope you're having a great weekend.
Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs: "The LORD Is"
In the last couple of months, as we have driven through the countryside here and have seen shepherds with their flocks, and as I read through "Hinds' Feet on High Places", the picture of God as our Shepherd has become particularly meaningful to me.Even in this last week, I have seen my own foolish faithlessness answered by His clear ability to provide and surpass every need I have, and even meet desires and bless me above and beyond what I would have thought possible.
Early Tuesday morning, as I drove back from dropping a dear friend off at the airport for her return home to the States, this song came on and it so very perfectly expresses what I have found to be true. I pray that God will keep me at a place of remembering His faithfulness to lead and to shepherd me, even when the way seems unclear, or the answers seem hidden.
The depths of Your grace who can measure
You fully supply all I need
You restore my weary soul again and again
And lead me in Your righteousness and peace
You’re with me through every dark valley
There’s nothing that I have to fear
You are there to comfort me again and again
Protecting me, assuring me You’re near
The Lord is
The Lord is my shepherd
The Lord is
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
You gave Your own life for my ransom
So I could rejoice at Your side
You have shown Your faithfulness again and again
There’s nothing good that You will not provide
I will dwell in Your house
All the days of my life
I will dwell in Your house
All the days of my life
Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs: It Is Well With My Soul
This is my very favorite hymn... the third verse reminds me of how much God has forgiven in my life, and how very much I have to be grateful to Him for.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(repeat chorus)
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(repeat chorus)
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
(end chorus)
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(repeat chorus)
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(repeat chorus)
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
(end chorus)
Praise the Lord for His comfort in the midst of trials, the reminders of just how much we have to be grateful for to Christ, and the promise of His return!
Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs: As Long As You Are Glorified
This song has spoken greatly to my heart in these last few months, and I hope it will speak to yours.In times of economic crisis, job loss, food shortages, and struggles, particularly for a country that has (all too often) put its trust in the wallet and in the filling of the belly, a song like this is all the more necessary and well-suited. You may want to scroll down to my music box at the bottom of this screen and listen to the song as you read through the lyrics.
AS LONG AS YOU ARE GLORIFIED ~by Sovereign Grace
Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt
Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified
Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night
"You know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." ~James 1:3-4
Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs: Beautiful Feet
You all may have seen some of my previous blogs about LeCrae-- this song is on his new album, Rebel, and Dawntoya (the woman in the picture at right, with her husband and new baby girl Zipporah) is featured on this particular song (she has a really beautiful voice!). This song has grabbed my heart. I love it... it challenges me. It encourages me. It burdens me. Maybe it will speak to you too.
Beautiful Feet by LeCrae & Dawntoya
"I pray y'all listen-- it's all a true story."
"How beautiful are the feet of those that bring the good news." (From Isaiah & Romans)
Carlos was born in killa cali, was walking down an alley
he caught a bullet in his head that left him bleeding badly.
He lost everything at that moment except for his life
he lost his hearing, lost his movement, even lost his sight
He laid there in a coma, but man nobody cared--
the Gospel preached in his neighborhood? Nobody dared
But 'los got up out that coma and was able to hear
a missionary shared the gospel to his open ears
He got saved, got trained, got discipled
back to the hood, you could find him preaching the Bible.
He led a homie to Christ that's from the same hood
part of a church plant, come on now, aint His name good?
This is a blessing; I'm stressing that this is not the norm
we need leaders and believers to help carry it on
But who would minister in this sinister part of town?
I pray if Jesus is calling you that you would be found
Go, go, go (run with those beautiful feet)
Go, go, go
You hold the truth that saves, so run and shout it to the world
They can't believe in something they ain't never heard
Go, go, go and run with those beautiful feet
Eric used to go to Bible study as a kid
he got older, started doing what the hood did
A rival gang caught him slippin, tried to take his life
but then the gun jammed on him, so them beat him nice
He woke up in the hospital singing Bible songs
Praise God he had a place to learn the Bible from
But then he gets saved and wanna preach Christ--
they make him change his whole culture, whole way of life
He gotta get him a bachelors, wear a suit and tie,
go to seminary, by then all of his boys will die
Jesus came to invade culture outta Nazareth
and used a couple fisherman who people saw as hazardous
The feet are beautiful if only they'd go
if ain't nobody in the hood preaching, how will they know?
See, Eric is better used taught truths in his context
somebody please plant a church in his projects.
Go, go, go (run with those beautiful feet)
Go, go, go
You hold the truth that saves, so run and shout it to the world
They can't believe in something they ain't never heard
Go, go, go and run with those beautiful feet
In Luke 4:16 on down to 21,
Jesus says he's the Messiah, says he's the chosen one
But more than that he quotes Isaiah, that shows that our Savior
targets oppressed, captive, blind, the broke and I'm saying
He had a heart for the poor, had a heart for the low
and 1st John 2:6 is way we should go
In Deuteronomy even tho they under the law,
the tithes every third year the poor'd get em all
And I ain't sayin you wrong if you live in the burbs
I'm sayin turn your attention to the hood; we hurting
Man, if you ain't burdened, please pick up your word and
tho this world is going down, while we here we can serve him
We bring this to the streets because we knew the streets
I pray that more would be burdened to have beautiful feet
You never knew the streets but truth is what you preach?
I pray to God you'd be burdened to have beautiful feet.
Go, go, go (run with those beautiful feet)
Go, go, go
You hold the truth that saves, so run and shout it to the world
They can't believe in something they ain't never heard
Go, go, go and run with those beautiful feet
"I pray y'all listen-- it's all a true story."
"How beautiful are the feet of those that bring the good news." (From Isaiah & Romans)
Carlos was born in killa cali, was walking down an alley
he caught a bullet in his head that left him bleeding badly.
He lost everything at that moment except for his life
he lost his hearing, lost his movement, even lost his sight
He laid there in a coma, but man nobody cared--
the Gospel preached in his neighborhood? Nobody dared
But 'los got up out that coma and was able to hear
a missionary shared the gospel to his open ears
He got saved, got trained, got discipled
back to the hood, you could find him preaching the Bible.
He led a homie to Christ that's from the same hood
part of a church plant, come on now, aint His name good?
This is a blessing; I'm stressing that this is not the norm
we need leaders and believers to help carry it on
But who would minister in this sinister part of town?
I pray if Jesus is calling you that you would be found
Go, go, go (run with those beautiful feet)
Go, go, go
You hold the truth that saves, so run and shout it to the world
They can't believe in something they ain't never heard
Go, go, go and run with those beautiful feet
Eric used to go to Bible study as a kid
he got older, started doing what the hood did
A rival gang caught him slippin, tried to take his life
but then the gun jammed on him, so them beat him nice
He woke up in the hospital singing Bible songs
Praise God he had a place to learn the Bible from
But then he gets saved and wanna preach Christ--
they make him change his whole culture, whole way of life
He gotta get him a bachelors, wear a suit and tie,
go to seminary, by then all of his boys will die
Jesus came to invade culture outta Nazareth
and used a couple fisherman who people saw as hazardous
The feet are beautiful if only they'd go
if ain't nobody in the hood preaching, how will they know?
See, Eric is better used taught truths in his context
somebody please plant a church in his projects.
Go, go, go (run with those beautiful feet)
Go, go, go
You hold the truth that saves, so run and shout it to the world
They can't believe in something they ain't never heard
Go, go, go and run with those beautiful feet
In Luke 4:16 on down to 21,
Jesus says he's the Messiah, says he's the chosen one
But more than that he quotes Isaiah, that shows that our Savior
targets oppressed, captive, blind, the broke and I'm saying
He had a heart for the poor, had a heart for the low
and 1st John 2:6 is way we should go
In Deuteronomy even tho they under the law,
the tithes every third year the poor'd get em all
And I ain't sayin you wrong if you live in the burbs
I'm sayin turn your attention to the hood; we hurting
Man, if you ain't burdened, please pick up your word and
tho this world is going down, while we here we can serve him
We bring this to the streets because we knew the streets
I pray that more would be burdened to have beautiful feet
You never knew the streets but truth is what you preach?
I pray to God you'd be burdened to have beautiful feet.
Go, go, go (run with those beautiful feet)
Go, go, go
You hold the truth that saves, so run and shout it to the world
They can't believe in something they ain't never heard
Go, go, go and run with those beautiful feet
You can listen to other LeCrae songs here. Praise God for real people writing real music that speaks to the real need for Christ in our culture!
A Slice o' Family Life: Memories & Memorization
While playing my guitar this morning, I remembered some funny (and great) family videos we got a little over a year ago, felt nostalgic, and wanted to share them here, with you all.
October 2007
Our oldest son sharing Psalm 1 --
it's so sweet to hear the way he talked back then... they really DO grow up so fast.
Our oldest son sharing Psalm 1 --
it's so sweet to hear the way he talked back then... they really DO grow up so fast.
November 2007
My favorite video-- one of the kiddos all dancing...
our daughter gets nervous when she sees the camera,
but then decides to go on dancing anyway.
My favorite video-- one of the kiddos all dancing...
our daughter gets nervous when she sees the camera,
but then decides to go on dancing anyway.
December 2007
The boys sharing their memorization of the Beatitudes... this one cracks me up!
The boys sharing their memorization of the Beatitudes... this one cracks me up!
I don't always share private things, but I guess I just wanted to share these and remember some precious times "with" you all. Hopefully this will give you a few laughs and a glimpse into our home, and let you share in the joy of our entirely silly and wonderful kiddos.
Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs: Be Still, My Soul
Here's another favorite... and yes, some of the lyrics are slightly altered from the original translation:
Amen and amen. I love this song.
Be still my soul; the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief and pain.
Trust in thy God to order and provide;
Through every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still my soul, thy Best & Heavenly Friend
Through trying times leads to a joyful end.
Be still my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake
What once was mystery shall be bright at last.
Be still my soul; the wind and waves still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below
Be still my soul, when dearest friends depart
And all is darkened by the rain of tears,
Then you will know the love of our Lord’s heart
He’ll come to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief, and fears are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still my soul: when change and tears are past
One day, we’ll meet our Jesus, safe at last.
Bear patiently the cross of grief and pain.
Trust in thy God to order and provide;
Through every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still my soul, thy Best & Heavenly Friend
Through trying times leads to a joyful end.
Be still my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake
What once was mystery shall be bright at last.
Be still my soul; the wind and waves still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below
Be still my soul, when dearest friends depart
And all is darkened by the rain of tears,
Then you will know the love of our Lord’s heart
He’ll come to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief, and fears are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still my soul: when change and tears are past
One day, we’ll meet our Jesus, safe at last.
Amen and amen. I love this song.
Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs: Fairest Lord Jesus
There is something about the depth of truth and theology found in many old hymns that is severely lacking in most modern-day Christian songs. I'm not an anti-praise & worship gal but am now revisiting the lyrics of many old hymns. I grew up singing old hymns but (like many evangelicals) transitioned to praise & worship in the mid-90's, and am often delighted at the solid foundation of truth I find in the old songs of faith.
So, on Sundays every now and then (if you've been around, you know I'm not one to vow to an ever-faithful once-a-week posting on a particular topic, etc...), I'd like to post the lyrics to a hymn or song that I'm finding particularly meaningful. I'll bold the lyrics that I find especially penetrating, challenging, or encouraging. Perhaps you'll enjoy it, perhaps not, but it will give me the opportunity to further mull and meditate on these lyrics I have now sung for decades.
The first lyrics I'll share are from one of my favorites:
When I was an R.A. in college, I used to steal away into the dorm stairwell at times when I knew most people were out of the dorms and sing hymns and revel in the rich echo found there. This was the one hymn that I always, always sang in those private stairwell sings. I am so thankful for Jesus... who He is, what He did, and how He still intercedes and loves me. He is a treasure, and so worthy of glory, honor, praise, and adoration.
So, on Sundays every now and then (if you've been around, you know I'm not one to vow to an ever-faithful once-a-week posting on a particular topic, etc...), I'd like to post the lyrics to a hymn or song that I'm finding particularly meaningful. I'll bold the lyrics that I find especially penetrating, challenging, or encouraging. Perhaps you'll enjoy it, perhaps not, but it will give me the opportunity to further mull and meditate on these lyrics I have now sung for decades.
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
~Ephesians 5:19
~Ephesians 5:19
The first lyrics I'll share are from one of my favorites:
Fairest Lord Jesus! Ruler of all nature!
O Thou of God and man the Son!
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown!
Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels heav’n can boast.
Beautiful Saviour! Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!
When I was an R.A. in college, I used to steal away into the dorm stairwell at times when I knew most people were out of the dorms and sing hymns and revel in the rich echo found there. This was the one hymn that I always, always sang in those private stairwell sings. I am so thankful for Jesus... who He is, what He did, and how He still intercedes and loves me. He is a treasure, and so worthy of glory, honor, praise, and adoration.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)